Modest kitchen in Mafi oak with bronze splashback

It's a common enough design brief create a spacious kitchen within a tight space. A clever design will address this need from every angle.

Architects Rob Nerlich and Kate McMahon, of McMahon and Nerlich, took just such an approach for this 4m-wide entertainer's kitchen.

The kitchen defies convention in a tiny space by stepping in from both edges, creating an easy flow around the compact island, says Nerlich.

"We turned the refrigerator by 90 degrees to downplay its presence and the feature Mafi oak ceiling flows down to hide the fridge, becomes cabinet doors, and fronts the rangehood," he says.

McMahon says they added a pantry to the rear, screened in part by a bronze splashback.

"A pocket slider in the same alloy can be drawn across to merge visually with the splashback at the same time hiding the pantry from the living area completely," McMahon says.

Appliances are also a feature. These include a state-of-the-art Ilve stove and cooktop, a concealed rangehood and a discreet dishwasher.

"The kitchen has plenty of room for the chef to cook and entertain from. A table on wheels that matches the island can be connected up to the kitchen for family gatherings," Nerlich says.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Superk